Managing the Korean entertainment industry: I have superpowers, but I won't say.

Chapter 74 First Encounter During Variety Show Recording – Girls' Generation

When SBS sent her the variety show invitation, Su Yu originally wanted to decline.

"I'm not going." He forwarded the email to Kim Dong-wook with just two words.

Kim Dong-wook replied with a long message in three seconds: "This is a prime-time variety show, with ratings consistently above 10%. 'Model Taxi' just finished airing, and appearing on a variety show at the height of its popularity can give the drama a boost. Besides, Sulli said she wants to be on it; she hasn't been on a variety show in a long time."

Su Yu stared at the screen without replying.

Cai Xiubin walked past him and glanced at his phone. "Are you going to be on a variety show?"

"I'm not going."

Why?

"dislike."

Chae Soo-bin sat down next to him and leaned closer to read the email. "SBS's 'Good Sunday'? That show is really popular. I was on it once before, it was quite fun."

"Have you been with her?"

"That was a long time ago. I was a newbie back then, standing in the corner without saying a word." Cai Xiubin smiled. "You're not afraid of the camera, are you?"

Su Yu glanced at her.

"Are you scared?" Cai Xiubin tilted her head.

Su Yu didn't answer, but picked up her phone and sent Kim Dong-wook two words: "What time?"

The recording took place on a Saturday, and it was very cold. Su Yu wore a black turtleneck sweater and a dark gray coat, while Cai Xiubin wore a beige down jacket and a cream-colored scarf. When the two arrived at the SBS building, fans were already waiting at the entrance, and screams erupted as they saw Cai Xiubin get out of the car.

Cai Xiubin waved his hand, then turned to Su Yu and said, "Hurry up, they're not here to see you."

Su Yu quickened his pace without expression.

The recording took place in a large studio on the first floor. The stage was elaborately set up, and the lighting made the entire space feel like daytime. Staff members were running around; some were adjusting cameras, while others were handing out name tags to the audience. Su Yu was led to the waiting room, where people were already waiting.

Yoon Shi-yoon sat on the sofa, script in hand, muttering to himself. Seeing Su Yu enter, he looked up and said, "You're finally here," then, seeing Cai Xiubin behind him, he added, "Unnie, you look so beautiful today." Cai Xiubin laughed and said, "Come on," to which Yoon Shi-yoon replied, "Really, even more beautiful than at the awards ceremony."

Lee Young-eun was also there, sitting in a corner with a cup of coffee in front of her, looking more nervous than anyone else. It was her first time on a variety show, and her script was covered in notes marked with highlighter. Su Yu walked over and sat down next to her.

"take it easy."

"I'm not nervous." Lee Young-eun's voice trembled slightly. "I just... don't know which camera to watch later."

"Just watch the host."

Which host?

"The one who asked you."

Lee Young-eun took a deep breath and nodded.

The door to the waiting room opened again, and Shirley walked in. She was wearing a red knitted dress, her hair was styled in large waves, and she had applied very delicate makeup. She glanced around as she entered, her gaze lingering on Su Yu for a moment, before smiling and greeting Cai Xiubin.

"Unnie, your down jacket looks so good today."

"Right? Su Yu bought it."

Shirley's smile remained unchanged, but her gaze shifted. She walked to the sofa, sat down, and picked up the script to begin reading.

Choi Min-soo followed Su Yu in, carrying a stack of schedules. He spoke briefly with Su Yu about work. Su Yu nodded, and Choi Min-soo left. He wasn't there to record a program; he was there to oversee Sulli's schedule.

The staff knocked on the door and came in, saying that the recording would start in twenty minutes and asking all the artists and guests to get ready.

Su Yu stood up and straightened his coat.

"Representative Su," a staff member called out to him, "you're not sitting in the guest section today, you're in the observation room at the back. The program format is that guests are interviewed on stage, and guests in the observation room can comment in real time."

"OK."

Su Yu was led to the observation room. It was a small room with a large screen on the wall, facing the stage. There were several sofas, and water and snacks were laid out on the table. He had just sat down when the door opened again.

Three people walked in.

Walking at the front was a tall woman with long hair and eyes that crinkled when she smiled. She was wearing a white shirt and black high-waisted pants. Su Yu recognized her—Lim Yoona.

Two people followed behind her. One had darker skin and a cool demeanor, Kwon Yuri. The other looked more mature and composed, Choi Sooyoung.

The three members of Girls' Generation.

Su Yu stood up and nodded politely.

Yoona spoke first. "You're Representative Su from Influence Entertainment, right?" She walked over and extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Im Yoona. We're special MCs today, sitting in the observation room watching with you."

Su Yu squeezed her hand briefly, then quickly released it. "Hello."

Kwon Yuri and Choi Sooyoung also introduced themselves. Su Yu replied, "I am Su Yu," and then fell silent.

Yoona sat on the sofa next to him, picked up the water bottle on the table, unscrewed it, and took a sip. "Representative Su looks very young, even younger than I thought."

"Um."

Do you watch variety shows?

"I won't look."

Yoona paused for a moment, then laughed. "Were you bored today?"

"fine."

Choi Sooyoung, listening nearby, couldn't help but laugh out loud. Yoona turned to look at her, and Choi Sooyoung said, "Even you get talked to death sometimes." Yoona glared at her, but wasn't angry.

The recording on stage began. The host first introduced today's guest lineup, and then invited Yoon Shi-yoon, Chae Soo-bin, Lee Young-eun, and Sulli to appear. The four walked out from both sides of the stage, and the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Cai Xiubin stood on the stage and waved to the camera. She wore light makeup today, making her look more refined than usual. Su Yu watched on the screen in the observation room, her lips twitching slightly.

Yoona noticed. "Representative Su, what are you laughing at?"

"I didn't laugh."

"I definitely saw it." Yoona tilted her head to look at him. "Were you looking at your girlfriend?"

Su Yu did not answer.

Kwon Yuri also came over. "Is Chae Soo-bin your girlfriend? How long have you been together?"

Su Yu glanced at her. "It's not short."

Choi Soo-young asked, "How did you meet?"

Su Yu thought for a moment. "Convenience store."

All three of them paled. Yoona's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "A convenience store? Really?" Kwon Yuri said, "That's so romantic!" Choi Sooyoung asked, "You met him while working at a convenience store?"

Su Yu nodded.

Yoona rested her chin on her hands, looking on with curiosity. "Representative Su, please say something more. Don't you get bored with how you don't talk much?"

Su Yu looked at Cai Xiubin on the screen. She was answering the host's questions and had a beautiful smile on her face.

"No," he said.

There was a moment of silence in the observation room, then Choi Soo-young laughed. "You're the kind of person who doesn't say anything, but once you do, it's impossible to respond."

Kwon Yuri picked up her water glass, took a sip, glanced at Su Yu, and then at Sulli on the screen. She was the most observant of the three and had already noticed some details—for example, when Sulli was speaking on stage, her gaze always drifted towards the observation room.

On stage, the host asked Sulli, "I heard you signed with a new company, Influence Entertainment. Why did you choose this company?"

Shirley held the microphone and thought for a moment. "Because the representative trusts me, and I trust him too."

"That's all?"

"That's all." Shirley smiled. "Some things don't need to be said too much."

The host turned to Chae Soo-bin. "Chae Soo-bin, you're both the female lead and Representative Su's girlfriend in this drama. Did you feel a lot of pressure while filming?"

Cai Xiubin took the microphone. "No. He's the producer on set; he won't give me any special treatment just because I'm his girlfriend."

"And what about in private? Does he take care of you in private?"

Cai Xiubin smiled, a sweet smile. "We meet in private. But that's after we get home."

The audience started making a fuss. Yoon Shi-yoon chimed in with "Whoa—", and Chae Soo-bin laughed and playfully punched him.

In the observation room, Yoona turned to look at Su Yu. "What was it about after she went home?"

Su Yu glanced at her but didn't answer.

Choi Sooyoung laughed so hard she slapped the sofa. "Yoona, why are you asking such a question? I'm too embarrassed to say."

Yoona said, "I was just curious," and Kwon Yuri said, "What are you curious about? You don't even have a boyfriend." Yoona was taken aback and muttered, "So what if I don't have a boyfriend?"

The observation room was filled with laughter. Su Yu didn't laugh, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

A game segment began on stage. The guests were divided into two teams to test their teamwork. Chae Soo-bin and Yoon Shi-yoon were on one team, and Sulli and Lee Young-eun were on the other. The question was "What is the other person most afraid of?" When it was Chae Soo-bin's turn to answer, she wrote "None." The host asked her why she wrote "None," and she said, "Su Yu isn't afraid of anything."

Yoon Shi-yoon chimed in, "He's afraid Chae Soo-bin will get angry." The whole room laughed, and Chae Soo-bin blushed slightly.

Su Yu watched from the observation room, a slight smile curving his lips.

Yoona saw it. "Representative Su, aren't you afraid Cai Xiubin will be angry?"

Su Yu thought for a moment. "I'm not afraid."

Why?

"She's not angry."

Kwon Yuri smiled. "Your answer is perfect."

When the game ended, Cai Xiubin's team won. She jumped up happily, her hair tossing and shimmering under the lights. Su Yu stared at the screen, his hand unconsciously touching his chin.

Yoona noticed again. "Representative Su, do you really want to go down?"

Su Yu withdrew his hand. "No."

"You're being stubborn."

Su Yu didn't reply. Yoona smiled and didn't ask any more questions.

Halfway through filming, there was a break. Staff came in to bring snacks and water. Su Yu stood up, stretched, and walked to the window to look outside. Outside the SBS building was the street scene of Gangnam District, with a constant flow of traffic and the Han River faintly visible in the distance.

Yoona walked over with a cup of coffee and stood next to him.

"Representative Su."

"Um."

Are you usually very busy?

"fine."

"Do you have time to go on dates with your girlfriend?"

Su Yu turned to look at her. "What do you want to say?"

Yoona smiled. "It's nothing. I just think you're a really interesting person. You don't talk much, but every word you say is to the point. And you don't look like a boss, you look more like..."

"What does it look like?"

"Like a student." Yoona took a sip of her coffee. "But you're much more reliable than those seasoned bosses. Sulli has said a lot of good things about you to me."

Su Yu didn't speak.

Yoona looked out the window and paused for a moment. "I might have to leave SM next year."

Su Yu looked at her.

"I haven't decided yet, but it's possible." Yoona turned to look at him. "If I leave, would you be willing to sign me?"

Su Yu was silent for two seconds. "Yinguo Entertainment is a small company; it can't accommodate you."

Are you rejecting me?

"I'm telling the truth."

Yoona stared at him for a few seconds, then laughed. "You really don't know how to talk."

"I know."

Yoona placed the coffee cup on the windowsill and turned to face him. "Let me ask you another way. If one day I become a free agent, would you be willing to work with me?"

Su Yu thought for a moment. "We'll see when the time comes."

Yoona raised an eyebrow and didn't ask any more questions.

The break ended, and recording resumed. The second half of the segment involved interaction between the guests and the audience, with the host randomly selecting audience members to ask questions, which the guests then answered on the spot. One audience member asked Cai Xiubin, "When do you and Representative Su plan to get married?"

The entire room fell silent.

Cai Xiubin held the microphone, paused for two seconds, then smiled. "I'll have to go back and ask him about that."

The host egged them on, saying, "Ask now!" and the audience shouted, "Call them!" Tsai Hsiu-pin waved his hand and said, "No, no, he's in the observation room."

In the observation room, Yoona turned to look at Su Yu. "She asked you to make a phone call."

Su Yu didn't move.

Kwon Yuri said, "Aren't you going to hit him?" Choi Sooyoung said, "He's embarrassed."

Su Yu took out his phone from his pocket, typed a message, and sent it. On stage, Cai Xiubin's phone vibrated. She took it out and glanced at it; the screen displayed a message from Su Yu: "Waiting for you to win another award."

After reading it, Cai Xiubin smiled, her eyes crinkling, and waved her phone screen at the camera. The director cut to a close-up, and everyone in the audience saw the text. The audience erupted in cheers again, and Yoon Shi-yoon, standing beside her, covered his face and said, "You two, that's enough."

It was already 7 p.m. when the recording ended. Su Yu came out of the observation room and waited for Cai Xiubin in the corridor. She came out after changing her clothes, still wearing makeup, with her hair down over her shoulders.

"Are you tired?" Su Yu asked.

"It's alright." Cai Xiubin walked over and took his arm. "Have you been in the observation room the whole time?"

"Um."

"Did you look at me?"

"I've seen it."

"How long do you want to watch?"

"The whole process."

Cai Xiubin smiled and leaned on his shoulder. The two walked out and ran into Yoona in the parking lot. She was standing next to a black van, texting on her phone. Seeing Su Yu and Cai Xiubin approach, she looked up and smiled.

"Cai Xiubin, your dress is very pretty today."

"Thank you." Cai Xiubin nodded with a smile.

Yoona glanced at Su Yu. "Representative Su, let's work together again in the future."

Su Yu nodded.

Yoona got into the car and the window closed. The black van slowly drove out of the parking lot and merged into the traffic.

Cai Xiubin watched the car drive away, then turned to Su Yu and asked, "What did she say to you?"

"She said if I left SM, she asked if I would be willing to sign her."

Cai Xiubin blinked. "What did you say?"

I said I'd talk about it later.

Cai Xiubin stared at him for two seconds, then laughed. "Your answer is so typical of you."

Su Yu opened the car door. "Let's go home."

"Okay, let's go home."

As the car drove onto the main road, Cai Xiubin leaned back in her seat, scrolling through her phone. She had taken some photos while recording a program earlier that day and posted them online, where they had already garnered over ten thousand comments. Some praised her beauty, some asked when she was getting married, and others wondered if Su Yu was really that aloof.

She scrolled through the comments and burst out laughing.

"What's wrong?" Su Yu asked.

"Some people commented that 'Representative Su had no expression throughout the entire process, does that mean she has no feelings for Tsai Hsiu-bin anymore'."

Su Yu didn't speak.

"Some people even told him, 'What do you know? That's just showing off.'"

Su Yu's lips curved slightly.

Cai Xiubin put her phone away and turned to look at him.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"When Yoona asked you today, did you really not consider signing her?"

"I haven't thought about it."

Why?

Su Yu was silent for a few seconds. "With the company's current size, signing her wouldn't be a good thing. She's too famous; we can't handle her."

Cai Xiubin thought for a moment and nodded. "You've thought it through quite well."

Su Yu reached out and ruffled her hair.

"I didn't waste a single second thinking about what I needed to think about."

"What about things you shouldn't be thinking about?"

"In no mood."

Cai Xiubin smiled.

The streetlights outside the window lit up one by one, and the car's heater made everyone feel lazy. Cai Xiubin closed his eyes and put his hand on Su Yu's arm.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"You just said you'd wait until I win another award."

"Um."

"I've already taken one. What's next?"

"What do you want?"

"Award for Best Acting Performance"

Su Yu glanced at her. "Then take another one."

Cai Xiubin opened her eyes and smiled.

"Okay. Then you wait."